Anna Hooper

2017 Hall of Fame Inductee

Her Story

For winemaker Anna Hooper, the grass always looked just a little greener on South Australia’s Limestone Coast. The newly-established Mount Benson wine region combined her love for a delicious vintage with her love for great surf. Before long, Cape Jaffa Wines was born, the gifted love child of this beautiful combination.

Anna’s love affair with the winemaking process started at an early age. Growing up, Anna found inspiration while following her mother around the laboratories of an Adelaide Hills winery. Although many years have passed, the romance continues with just as much spark. With her dedication to unique and delicious wines and a soft spot for sustainable farming, Cape Jaffa has accumulated a portfolio of single vineyard wines and original blends that use modern and traditional vinification methods. Perhaps her most winning quality, though, has been her green thumb. In her bid to farm as sustainably as possible, she was one of the first Australian producers to try their hand at biodynamic farming. So, what gives her the courage to push the boundaries? She believes it’s support from great people.

“I take a really tough and rigorous approach to recruitment and provide clear goals. As a result, we have a terrific people resource in our business, without which we couldn’t have achieved what we have.”

Her success in the wine industry has led to active involvement in the community. She is the president of the Mount Benson Vignerons Association and sits on the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council. Outside of her local community, she has also been acknowledged as the RIRDC South Australian Rural Woman of the Year (2013), and has since been invited to speak on the topic in both Australian and international forums.

Cape Jaffa Wine’s drive for sustainability has been widely recognised. The company has been inducted into the advantage SA Sustainability Hall of Fame, and has placed as Runner Up in the UK Drinks Business Green Personality Award 2014.

At its heart, every bottle of her coveted Cape Jaffa Wine has three ingredients. The first, her unwavering commitment to sustainability; the second, her courage in trying modern techniques; and lastly, the winemaking secrets she’s gathered on her visits to France and South Africa.

Strategies for Success

Hard work. I don’t think there are too many secrets. Luck may come into it for some, but for me I just try to give everything 101%.

Fearlessness. My biggest fear is being unable to front up to a challenge. Taking on a big and intimidating venture means being willing to accept the consequences if it doesn’t go according to plan. But it’s where courage and daring combine that great things often happen.

Tenacity. If you are prepared to persevere and don’t like to accept defeat, then you can make most things happen.

Honesty and fairness. I am a big subscriber to the ‘what goes around comes around’ mentality when it comes to both business and life.

Humility. Being one’s own worst critic and being prepared to share the blame when things go wrong. Denial is contrary to learning from one’s mistakes.

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